Yes, we know -- another console price drop story. Our contempt rivals your own, we assure you. However, this time around, the report comes from a source that's proven to be eerily accurate on hardware announcements in the past -- Ars Technica's unnamed "mole," a prophetic figure who managed to predict the capabilities of the PSP Go, the release of the red Resident Evil 5 Xbox 360 bundle and, most notably, last fall's universal 360 price cut.

On the Sony front, the mole is claiming that the 80GB PS3 will become scarce over the next two months, being mostly replaced by the 160GB model. As the larger model continues to sell into the fall, Sony will supposedly simultaneously announce the oft-rumored PS3 Slim and the even more oft-rumored price cut. The mole was unable to discern the exact amount that would be shaved off the price of the console, but was confident it would provide Sony with a much-needed sales boost.

For Microsoft, the mole expects the Pro system to be ushered off store shelves with the help of a few attractive Pro bundles which will crop up over the next few months. The Pro will be replaced by the 120GB Elite, which will supposedly undergo a price cut in September, followed by the release of its own bundles in October. With downloadable titles becoming a focus for both companies, turning the spotlight on consoles with larger hard drives makes sense -- but only time will tell if the Ars mole's sterling predictive reputation will persevere.

The UK-based Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, or ELSPA for short, has a new face on board. Seasoned game designer David Braben and his crack team of devs at Frontier Developments have joined the trade body, no doubt wooed by the organization's rumored regular meetings to play Twister.

Braben wowed early gamers with his influential space sim, Elite, as well as its 1993 sequel, Frontier. Braben's latest release strayed far from his roots, however, in last year's WiiWare platformer, LostWinds. In joining the ELSPA, Braben says he hopes to help the organization deal with such issues as piracy, ratings and used game sales "swiftly and efficiently." Still, given that the studio's current project, The Outsider, was first announced in 2006, and we're still waiting on Elite IV, we're not convinced speed is how Braben and company roll.

Today, Microsoft revealed a new Xbox 360 Elite bundle headed to store shelves this May. The Xbox 360 Game of the Year bundle includes the little-known online shooter called Halo 3 and Joystiq's 2008 game of the year pick, Fable II. The M-rated bundle is priced at $399, making the two million-plus unit selling pack-in titles free of charge.

Those of you keeping score at home will remember rumors of an elite bundle, which was set to include the two Microsoft Game Studios powerhouse titles, had been floating around the web earlier this month. Microsoft, continuing a long history of totally being able to keep a secret, confirmed the bundle today via Major Nelson's blog.

Update: Major Nelson has clarified this bundle will be available in all regions where Xbox 360 is sold, except those in Europe.

According to Fudzilla, Microsoft will be ending the mass availability of the Xbox 360 Elite in many parts of the world and plans on positioning it as a more "limited edition" console, as was originally intended.

Supposedly, retailers are less supportive of the higher-priced Elite consoles during these craptacular economic times, because their consumer demand is lower than the Arcade and Pro. As a result, Microsoft may be limiting the console's sales to select retailers in North America and Europe and stop taking Elite orders in other territories sometime during Q2.

The rumored Elite phase-out would allow it to be marketed as a "limited edition" offering, giving MS the option to sell specially themed (and possibly higher priced) Elite bundles when triple-A titles need promotion. (Think the Resident Evil 5 Elite bundle.) Fudzilla also mentions that Microsoft wants to expand the 360's storage capabilities by releasing a standalone drive that's larger than the Elite's current 120GB model.

• Xbox 360 Arcade - Coupon code: 6VKNSMJK0PD7L8
  
• Xbox 360 Pro - Coupon code: M69N0GW8WF$71V
  
• Xbox 360 Elite - Coupon code: 7H7JHWM8?HQTBR

[Via Engadget, Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

The $199 Xbox 360 Arcade holiday bundle comes with SEGA Superstars Tennis and both the $299 Xbox 360 Pro and $399 Xbox 360 Elite consoles come bundled with LEGO Indiana Jones and Kung Fu Panda this holiday season. Also, after sniffing through press materials, we spotted holiday box stickers and they mention a free Netflix trial. You know, because Netflix is doing that whole 360 streaming thing.

We've been informed that the Xbox 360 Arcade model will come packaged with SEGA Superstar Tennis and both the Pro and Elite models will come bundled with Kung Fu Panda and LEGO Indiana Jones. Sadly, we don't have any picture proof of the new bundles or a solid release date, but we'll keep digging to see whether or not the holiday game bundling is legit. For now, we advise being optimistically skeptical.

[Thanks, Travisto]

Through October 6th, Dell.com is offering a $50 discount on both Pro and Elite Xbox 360 consoles AND they're including free shipping too. To partake in the purchasing process of buying $249 Pros or $349 Elites, simply click on over to Dell.com and, at the end of checkout, use the promo codes listed below.

• Xbox 360 Pro 60GB - Promo code: 7V2DJL$PD6NGWZ
  
• Xbox 360 Elite 120GB - Promo code: NP?CKPRH$KTWLL
  

[Via 360-Deals, Thanks Fargo]

As if a $259 Xbox 360 20GB console wasn't a good enough deal for you, take a look at what Amazon.com is offering those who want to purchase a newly price reduced $399 Xbox 360 Elite.

For a limited time (exact offer dates aren't given), Amazon.com is giving Xbox 360 Elite purchasers a free $60 gift card that's promised to be emailed before September 30th. And, as always, purchases over $25 on Amazon.com receive free shipping. Enjoy!

[Thanks, shuref00t]

Agents are ... go!

Elite Beat Agents built a reputation on many things: colorful characters, marvelous music, and, on later difficulties, the combination of soul-crushing challenge and those godforsaken spin markers. But look beyond that shiny veneer and you'll see above all an incredibly unique game, one that takes advantage of the DS's touch-screen capabilities arguably better than any other title on the system.

And it's a hell of a lot of fun. Give the game a spin for just a few minutes and you'll see what I mean, as part of Elite Beat Agents's charm is its bite-sized gameplay. Take one of the many songs for a ride and you'll get a glimpse of nearly everything the game has to offer, with the frantic tapping, circling, and groovy beats the title is known for. It's okay to dance with your DS. I don't judge.

Can you feel the music? Come along with this week's edition of Gaming to Go and see why exuberant dancing can solve all of the world's problems.

If you missed out on Dell.com's last amazingly cheap Xbox 360 Elite bundle deal and are willing to pay $50 more, then we think we have the perfect deal for you.

For only $349 with free shipping, United States Dell.com purchasers can grab an Xbox 360 Elite bundle complete with the console itself, Forza 2, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and two additional faceplates. Though, to get the $349 pricing, you'll have to use a $100 off coupon code. To do this, simply head to Dell.com, click "Customize It", then click "Buy Now", then "Add to Shopping Cart". Now, once at the checkout screen, enter coupon code V8Q199$GCXJWL$ in the "Coupon Entry" field. Shazaam! The $449 price tag magically drops to $349. Note too that the coupon is only good through August 20th.

[Via FatWallet]

Update: The Elite deal has since expired. Pricing for the bundle is back up to $449. Sad ...

Here's an Xbox 360 deal for you. In an offer that ends sometime this evening, Dell.com (The U.S. website) is selling brand new Xbox 360 Elite bundles which include both Forza 2 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance as well as both Carbon and Hotrod faceplates all for (get this) $299! That's a $150 savings off the retail price! We aren't sure exactly why these Elite bundles are so darn cheap, but if we had to guess, it'd be because of a little price cutting event that'll be happening next month. Hurry! Go grab a $299 Xbox 360 Elite bundle over at Dell.com before they're gone!

[Thanks, Voltron]

Gather round children and scoot in close, because it's time for another edition of Xbox 360 price cut rumor talk where we inform you about the latest, craziest and somewhat possible 360 price cuts that may or may not happen. And today, friends, we aren't about to let you down.

According to ars technica's Microsoft insider, all Xbox 360 hardware across all console SKUs will be seeing some major price cuts even including the recently introduced 60GB model. Their insider informs us that sometime this September, the Xbox 360 Arcade (no HDD) will drop from $279 all the way down to $199, the new Xbox 360 Pro (60GB HDD) will go from $349 down to $299 and the Xbox 360 Elite (120GB HDD) will fall from $449 down to a more reasonable $399. If true, high fives all around. If false, we become depressed.

[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]